Someone suggested that we show a little about some of the teams we sponsor in some way so here you are. These drivers are all sponsored to some extent by Ruffstuff Specialties. Most run our Axle Housings and a few run our parts exclusively, some even compete with us for customers but we all have the winning idea first and foremost!

The first I mention here is probably the most important. They are not the winningest team we support but they try the hardest and are always my favorites when they compete.

Nevada Union High School Autoshop Class Team (CA)

What Joe Silva does with his class is because of the drive Joe has to teach. If I wasn't doing this I could only hope to be doing something as worthwhile and honorable as what Joe does for the students in his class. When you see Joe buy him a beer! They didn't finish KOH within the time limit last year but they didn't break and they were only 30 minutes late. I am expecting big things from the Nevada Union HS team this year!

Joe works with a tiny budget from the school so please support the other companies that have helped NUHS. Royal Purple went as far as giving the kids thier entry spot last year for KOH. Some of the other companies supporting the NUHS team are, FOA Shocks, Advance Adapters, Aurora Bearing, Griffin Radiators, B.F.Goodrich, CTM, Currie, D.J. Safety, J.E.Reel, P.R.P Seats, Raceline Wheels, Reid Racing, Viking Off-Road, Warn, & the 12volt guy. I hope I haven't missed anyone, all of them deserve praise for what they have done for this team!

Travis Carpenter/Dan Trout with the 4405 Land use Buggy (CA)

Travis has had some tough luck this summer, his garage burned to the ground with his competition buggy (and 3 other vehicles) in it. He has had to start from scratch with his C0-Driver/Fabricator Dan Trout (Fishmouth Fab). Needless to mention how Dan sweated blood to get the first buggy perfect. The new build has been a group effort as both the guys were ready to throw in the towel after the fire but this buggy is the "Land Use" and Open Access buggy and it had to go on.

Travis does so much for the sport, from school outings to competitions while racing for contributions per mile completed. All funds generated go to various organizations supporting open access to our public lands. I've known Travis & Dan a long time and was eager to help when they needed it, in fact our KOH Open Pit idea was actually based around getting this team back on its feet.

Kevin Yoder (CA)

Kevin is always a crowd favorite wherever he goes and he is my kind of driver, he only goes fast! Kevin races many venues but always in the same Ultra 4 buggy built by himself in his barn. This year Kevin has a new motor pushing big ponies and is always a threat for a podium finish no matter who the competition!

I think what sets Kevin apart from most racers is his unassuming attitude, he is a regular guy, works for the railroad 5 days a week and then races every weekend. Another interestng bit about Kevin is that he is one of only 2 racers left racing from he start of Crawling competitions, the other is Shannon Cambell.

Brett Porter of the OG13 (CA)

Andrew McLaughlin (Letzroll Offroad) (AZ)

Eastern Teams:

Tim Diekmann of Liquid Iron Industries (NJ)

Doug Bigelow of Bigelow Racing (PA)

Doug is a pretty laidback guy, until it comes to racetime! During a race Doug definately has his race face on and he does everything all out and holds nothing back. If he practices law (You would never know he is a Lawyer) anything like he races I would never want to go against him in court.


The crew is headed up by Dannon and he keeps Doug running no matter what happens, I was acting as pit boss in the main at this years KOH when Doug pulled in with about 20% of his brakes left and lines simply blown apart, on the radio Dannon told what to tell Doug, I told Doug with a straight face, "Brakes just slow you down". Doug had 61 miles to go and he finished 29th, the last 21 miles on 2 flats and the last 55 without brakes!

Ken Mercer in a Jesse Haines Buggy

Will Carter (If he gets the new buggy done in time) (NC)

Matt Overton (AL) In a Jimmy Penner (EOR) buggy